How a DIY guru turned his poky 1950s house into a bright family oasis

Rob Palmer, best known as a DIY guru and presenter on TV show Better Homes and Gardens, was always destined to be a builder. For generations all the men in his family have been builders.

But he did enlist some help when it came time to transform his own family home from a poky, dark 1950s house into a bright oasis.

SOLD - $3,500,000

32 Maroa Crescent, Allambie Heights NSW 2100

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He worked in the school holidays when he was young. A few years later Rob got into trouble in science class. As punishment, he was sent to drama class and discovered a new hobby.

After he completed his apprenticeship a TV show was looking for a carpenter and a friend of a friend volunteered him.

“Rob does plays and musicals – he’ll do it. And he’s a chippy!” he laughed.

In 1999 at the Rugby World Cup Rob met his wife Gwenllian, also a TV presenter, in Wales.

The couple married in 2002 and came to Australia, bought their first home, and renovated it while living in it.

When they bought their second home in 2008 it was a 1950s house.

“It was abysmal! It was awful!” recalled Gwen.

Other than new carpet the plumbing was “dodgy” and the bath and enclosed shower were built of fibreglass and looked as if they belonged on a caravan or boat.

“All the bedrooms [were] poky, creaky and no light. Everything squeaked,” she said.

Gwen convinced her husband it was a good move. “I said, look at the location, look at the lifestyle, we can make an absolutely gorgeous house here.”

But with two infants at home, the busy couple who designed renovations for others put up with the property for four long years.

During that time they took note of all the changes they wanted to make. Gwen curated a vision board, clipping images from magazines.

“We wanted to introduce as much sunlight into the home as possible, which makes a huge difference, not just to the way you feel but to your energy use as well,” said Rob.

Optimum storage was key, with cabinetry off the floor for fuss-free cleaning.

Although Rob was a builder and carpenter he was often away filming and travelling so they engaged a builder, Cunninghams Building, and Bennett Murada Architects, who completed the job in 12 weeks.

“One of the big tips with renovating is don’t change your mind once you’ve started,” Rob said.

While the team from Better Homes and Gardens didn’t work on the site, they came to film each stage for the show.

The front four rooms were left but beyond that, walls were knocked out.

“When we did the demolition … this was one of the most fun days ever. We got all the kids, our kids and their best mates to come and they made the loungeroom their canvas. We were throwing paint. We made an absolute mess,” said Rob.

While most of the vision board was white, bright and industrial concrete Gwen had colourful Moroccan tile inspiration cutouts for the bathroom.

“I just love an old earth tile. It worked for the Romans, and every other sort of civilisation,” said Gwen.

Rob added: “It’s spectacular. I really love it. It’s one of my favourite things in the house.”

Gwen wanted concrete floors, but Rob preferred wood so the compromise was a feature concrete waterfall kitchen bench weighing 800 kilos which had to be lifted in by a crane.

And the wooden floors were Rob’s proudest achievement as he made them with his own hands. They’re so well bonded, not a squeak can be heard.

Rather than remove an enormous piece of sandstone in the backyard they left it as a feature. The slab became outdoor seating where they toasted marshmallows around a fire pit and a jump platform for the swimming pool, popular with their kids’ friends.

The guest retreat they added meant overseas visitors could stay for long periods yet have privacy.

The serene waters of Manly Dam and a variety of nature walks and a mountain bike trail are accessible via their back gate.

“It was just such a magical place for the kids to grow up. You’re so close to Sydney, and the beaches, and you had this oasis with Manly Dam behind you,” said Gwen.

“We are very very sad to leave this place,” she added. “I think there is a nomadic sense in me. So to have stayed in one place for 15 years is the most I’ve ever done for sure.”

The family are now selling to go on a new adventure. Their property at 32 Maroa Crescent is listed for sale by auction on Saturday April 6 with a guide of $3.5 million.

Selling agent Tim Cullen from McGrath Manly said the proximity to Manly Dam and the street being a premier street in the suburb are main drawcards for this property.

“The quality of the workmanship is next level,” said Cullen.